Article by
Emmanuel Joseph

Published on
November 6, 2018

The state-owned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has announced its intention to send home just over half of its 230-strong workforce while also agreeing to a proposal by the employees’ bargaining agent for voluntary separation.

Special advisor and former General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) Sir Roy Trotman broke the news this evening to reporters following more than two hours of talks with management of the CBC at the Pine, St Michael studios.

Sir Roy said the BWU delegation that included president of the CBC division Kent Jersen, tried unsuccessfully to get the corporation to give an enhanced separation package to those volunteering to leave.

“Today’s meeting was a follow up to the one we held last Friday. When we met on Friday we decided that it was necesssary and it was according to the protocol and to the law, that what CBC should do, was to allow first of all for a discussion that would give people the chance to volunteer for separation if they so desired. So CBC has done that and we expect that sometime over the next two or three days, those persons who wish to leave CBC would do so,” he said.

“We were hoping to get an enhanced package for those separations, but CBC has been insisting that the circumstances of its finances are so dire that they are unable to go beyond what are the limits set out in the Employment Rights Act and the Severance Payments Act,” the former BWU General Secretary pointed out.

He said the union team also sought unsuccessfully to find out how much the retrenchments would cost the local station, describing as “a little sad” its inability to get that costing from the corporation.

“We would think that given the enormity of the separation that would take place we ought to have had a better understanding of cost implications. We ought better to be able to understand what it is that CBC has done, what it is doing and what it will do. Our understanding is that it will be shedding 116 persons or 52 per cent of its current staff. That digs deep. It cuts very, very deep, and it’s painful,” the former union leader declared.

As for those opting for voluntary separations, Sir Roy could not say at this stage how many would take up the offer noting that even though some people have indicated their intention to leave, it is a matter people would still have to discuss with their families first.

“Because there is no enhancement, there may be a negative impact on the number of people who would otherwise have volunteered. But I can’t tell you that today,” he said.

Turning his attention specifically to the retrenchments, he told reporters these would be discussed in more detail during a follow up meeting with management on Monday afternoon.

“This is 116 of possibly 230. So you can see just how grave that is. We will be meeting again next Monday and we have to start looking at the way by which we are going to approach these separations. There is a commitment to last-in first-out and that is consistent with what we have at the level of the Social Partnership,” he added.

Sir Roy said the union may have to look at some other matters during discussions on the retrenchments and will endeavour to conclude the talks as soon as possible.

“But we have to be very conscious of the fact that people have been working at CBC in essence, for some workers, a lifetime. So it’s going to be a difficult period for discussion and for resolution. But we will endeavour to bear constantly in mind that all of us have to look at the country’s welfare…at the same time that we have to understand that people are not machines and that people have souls and they have families, and that when you take away 50 per cent of that, that it really is a very grievous matter,” he argued.

The veteran trade unionist suggested that based on the large number of people selected for termination, the corporation must have a “major remake of CBC for the people of Barbados”.

Sir Roy also said the BWU expects to hear from management of the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Gymnasium Limited to start discussions on retrenchments. He also noted that further talks will be held with the Transport Board later this week on its plans to fully restructure that state-run entity.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued this afternoon, the CBC confirmed that it had agreed with the BWU on the option of voluntary separation.

“The union accepted that voluntary separation will be under the same terms and conditions as those who will be retrenched from the corporation. Those opting for voluntary separation must indicate their willingness to accept the terms and conditions no later than 4 p.m. on Friday 9 November, 2018,” the CBC release said.

In confirming the number of retrenched workers revealed by the BWU, the corporation said that severance payments and payment in lieu of notice for those opting for voluntary separation packages, along with the retrenched employees would be as outlined in the Severance Payments Act and the Employment Rights Act.

The broadcasting company said that when the two sides meet again on Monday at 2.30 p.m. the corporation would be able to inform the union how many staff have volunteered to leave and have accepted the terms and conditions as well as the remaining positions to be made redundant.

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32 thoughts on “116 to go”

Carl harper

“Sir Roy said the BWU delegation that included president of the CBC division Kent Jersen, tried unsuccessfully to get the corporation to give an enhanced separation package to those volunteering to leave.”

Where on earth would cash-strapped, loss-making CBC get the money to pay “enhanced separation packages”? Is long-standing employee Rosemary Alleyne likely to be one of those opting for voluntary separation?

On this matter of retrenchment at the state-owned broadcast station, management is standing on solid ground by engaging in the “consultations” required by the Employment Rights Act and on LIFO agreed to at the level of the Social Partnership. The BWU is therefore in no position to demand and receive anything more for those employees other than what is required under the law.

The BWU just announced that CBC employees will be receiving the 5% salary increase given to others in the public service as well as backdated increments. This would allow them to go home with “enhanced“ severance and vacation pay monies. Interestingly these employees are getting this pay raise when the BWU, I am told, negotiates separately on their behalf for salary revisions.

It is shocking that CBC has 230 staff on its payroll. On top of that, freelancers fill in for the weekend news and some radio programs. What the heck do they all do in The Pine everyday? For nearly eight years, listeners to one of its many radio stations, were terrorized by a talk show host who polluted the airwaves.

On one occasion during the weather news, viewers were treated to a bit of sleazy porn that could wake-up the dead. Weather presenter Kerry-Ann Oneale was stunned!

A recent report showed that the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) owed the Corporation over $100,000 — the most owed by a single organization. All efforts must be made to get the Dems to pay up! And we wonder why CBC finds itself in this financial hole.

Earlier this year the DLP administration voted for $9.2 million to liquidate the outstanding debt of CBC, having granted it a lifeline of $40.6 million in 2011. This was all in an effort to maintain the broadcast agency as Government’s mouthpiece and PR machine.

No one can forget when CBC refused to grant the BLP paid airtime to televise (not live) the feature address of then political leader Mia Mottley during its last election campaign song. This same privilege was granted to then DLP leader, Freundel Stuart, to speak at his conference — live. CBC operated as though it was an arm of the ruling DLP.

It is therefore unreasonable for the BWU to expect CBC to pay an enhanced separation package to employees of an over-staffed, poorly managed and heavily indebted entity that has been struggling to cover its operational costs for years and is unable to pay its bills.

CORRECTION: “No one can forget when CBC refused to grant the BLP paid airtime to televise (not live) the feature address of then political leader Mia Mottley during the launch of its last election campaign song.”

Was sorry Sir Roy was not available during the discussions with the General Serrvice. I am sure if packages were offered persons would have volunteered for separation. Thus leaving some younger persons on the job. The cry from BWU leadership that LIFO be the only option was ridiculous. The assertion that there was no valid employee assessment system was shameful. The same way she had a foreword in a publication and then said she knew nothing about it. She is not driving around at my expense and then I have to turn around and pay a consultant to do her job.

Given the fall off in membership I anticipate the unions to start their retrenchments in the shortest possible time.

Make sure all those responsible for that stupid g a y promoting programme called Out Loud, also find the CBC exit door. That means Belle Holder and company. Imagine having a trans gen der as a co-host. CBC could not find anyone else, so it had to scrape the bottom of the barrel. CBC Out Loud was promoting the g a y movement on prime time TV.

JOHNNY CROW …and when was that… for CRYING OUT LOUD that CRYING OUT LOUD program was shown in all its glory…..UNDER THE DEMOCRATIC LABOR PARTY GOVERNMENT…your BELOVED PARTY…and got that MAN talking bout his first BOYFRIEND having died WITH and not FROM complications with AIDS.
Sir Roy and DEM YARD FOWLS wanted discussions …so they got discussions …and those that were to be sent home WERE STILL SENT HOME and the SAME will occur at those places where they want DISCUSSIONS..which shows that the UNIONS are ONLY trying to IMPRESS the workers that they were FIGHTING on they behalf.
Hope half of those that engage in GIRL TALK go to RH home too as all that program does is to BASH MEN…ESPECIALLY from one who whispers when she is the lotto draw and is in the habit of criticizing OLD MEN IN CAPS.

SIR ROY INSISTS on EMPLOYERS to go the route of the EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS and SEVERANCE ACT by having discussions before any layoffs,but still want EMPLOYERS to go OUTSIDE that same act by asking for ENHANCED packages.
CBC didn’t have to say that they DIDN’T have any money to support that…all they had to say….THAT IS NOT IN THE ACT..FULL STOP.

@Carl Harper: I love to see when persons like yourself talk about the happenings over the last ten years (in this case eight).

Reality surrounding the CBC is that this corporation has never been able to make a profit under any government whether B L P or D L P. Under Barrow, Adams, Sandiford, Arthur, Thompson or Stuart the results has been the same.

I can also recall the D L P under Thompson being denied time on C B C as well, and under Tom Adams the same thing occurred with the Barrow lead D L P, so government control of that media corporation is nothing new to Barbados as you would wish to have us all believe.

Sometimes the points you try to make here gives me the impression that you are some ‘johnny come lately to Barbadian public affairs, or you are simply another mouthpiece for this Mottley lead administration. Oh, and before you too jump to the wrong conclusion, “i’m not a supporter of the D L P”.

Listen every single thing the government own and run in Barbados is in a mess, whether the country is being run by B, D or Z, so therefore it have to be the persons working at these places that are not doing a proper job, so whether it be from the Board, Management to the person in the lowest position, they are all at fault.
There are persons out there who think, that as soon as they get a job in government they are entitled they can do as they like.
Government need to get these places and workers in order to see a change in these entities.
I agree wholeheartedly that people need to go home but it should be on work ethic…… Just saying.

I’m not a public worker and have never been. But it amazes me how people always seem to have words for public workers when they themselves are probably no more productive or effective in there own jobs and would likely be the first to be ask to leave should a culling be necessary.

Be careful with your words at this time, I’m sure people who are close to you will be affected, and believe it or not all that is happening now will impact every Bajan in some degree – be thankful you’re in a job.

“SIR ROY INSISTS on EMPLOYERS to go the route of the EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS and SEVERANCE ACT by having discussions before any layoffs,but still want EMPLOYERS to go OUTSIDE that same act by asking for ENHANCED packages. CBC didn’t have to say that they DIDN’T have any money to support that…all they had to say….THAT IS NOT IN THE ACT..FULL STOP.”

@ the GREEN MOUT giant…DAVID THOMPSON WAS NEVER DENIED TIME when he was in OPPOSITION…you are ONLY talking because you have a MOUT.
TOM ADAMS used to GIVE THE OPPOSITION ALL THE TIME THEY NEEDED and MORE…ya know why…..to” HANG DEMSELVES”…and YOU only included BARROW to make it look as though you are NOT PARTIAL..but BARROW NEVER denied the OPPOSITION any time.
I was in TOWN longer than YOU ,and I know what went on,so continue to IMPRESS YOURSELF..one of these days ya gine mumble to ya self…”.man I right ya”

I wonder if MAUREEN HOLDER gine be ONE ? or she gone already ?
I know she in got de balls to go down in George Street and tell the LOSERS with the MOST EXPERIENCE at LOSING that Barbados is still NOT YET READY for a female Prime Minister

@GREENGIANT: “or you are simply another mouthpiece for this Mottley lead administration” – CARL NOT IN BARBADOS HARPER is definitely this. He’s obviously intelligent but prefers to reduce himself to a basic political supporter.

The government ain’t the only one sending home people all like KFC sending home workers with a package that suit them (kfc boss ) not the workers then giving you an option to start over at a lower salary doing the same work. The workers upset with the package thier get

@Michelle Griffith – 100% in agreement with u. I must further add that there appears to be a collective way of non-thinking and parroting equaling little to no real business results. It is as if the plantation/slave ideologies remains in place, with the same majority people feeling the sting of the lash.

@Tameka Holder – Absolutely no surprises. And absolutely no one to support these workers. More of them private sector lot will follow suit. And Here we 52yrs later still being fully dependent on the same people.